The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1887-10-01
THE WALLED-IN ROOM.
Being the Terrible Adventure of
an Irish Naturalist.

an Irish Naturalist.
Iopcned my eyes and looked around
me. A man was leaning over my bed
near the man stood II woman with q
bonnet with great white wings on the
sides, holding in her hands a moist
compress. The room was plain and
neat, with clean white walls. On a
table, covered with II great napkin OF
yellow linen, | noted number OF
strange objects-rOws of little vials
and I. brown earthen jar filled with bits
of ice. Through the muslin curtains,
which bellied out from the window in
the balmy air, could see Il patch of blue
sky and the tops of green trees bending
lightly in the breeze. Where was Ip
1t seemed like long dream that had
had; my head felt empty. my limbs
ached, and could not think.
The man gently lifted my head, and
gave me few drops of some liquid,
which swallowed with ayidity.
"Well, Mr.. Furniss," he said. show
do you feel?'
'.Eh. what?" 1 cried. "Whcre am
Ipn
"You are in my house. my dear sir.
and we shall take good care of you"
Now, he added, replacing my head on
the pillow, "be quiet and 60 to Sleep"
gazed at him for long time. and
all ut once l recognized Doctor Ber-
tram, the celebrated specialist in in
sanity. A shudder passed through my
frame. Why was l in Doctor Ber-
tram's hospital, instead of in my home,
near Phoenix Park, with my books, my
herbs, and my microscopes around me!
His hospital was for mad people!-and
that Sister of Charity, those vials. thai
bowl of ice--my God, must bc mad
But why?-how?
''How long have 1 been hercP"
asked, after Il time.
For four weeks, Mr.. Furniss. Bu
You must be quiet and sleep. Now dc
not try to talk"
For q month! Was it possible
What had happenedp But even as
asked myself these questions, little by
little L went off to sleep. and saw, il
Il billowy meadow, Il road covered will
blood and bordered on either sidt
with monstrous microscopes shaped
like trees, Il road OH which two little
girls played at pitch and catch with
severed head, while Dr. Bertram
comically bonneted with religiou
cap. rode astride of a dead body. whicl
reared, and pranced, and kicked till h,
could scarce keep his seat.
The next morning was better; ant
day by day l improved. though tina
horrible nightmare came to me eacl
night. But it grew less aud less dis
tinct, and in few weeks it almos
ceased to trouble me.
One evening the doctor. whom hat
not seen during the day. seated him
self near my bed.
"Well," said he. feeling my pulse
-'you are doing famously. I'll hay,
you out, as good as new. in few days
But you've had Il close shave. 1t ha
been one of the prettiest cases O
cerebral congestion ever handled,
beautiful case. Why. it's a wonde
you are alive now. Tell me, how
your memory; can you remember wha
happened before you were brough
herep"
IL don't know, can not think.
have passed through something fearful
What it is, l can not say. From tn
faint glimmer of recollection that comes
to me, have the sensation of havin,
been dead-murdered! o. it is fright
full! My brain is weak yet. Then. tn
child, a pretty golden-haircd child
rolling on the floor"
"Come. come, this will never do,
said the doctor. "You can toll me al
about it in the morn"
'No, now. DOCTOR" l cried. 'It /
coming back to me. Yes, l have !
now"
Here is an exact transcript of m
recital rs told it to DR.. Bcrtram and
later, 70 the magistrate.
Yon know my passion for natura
history. Well. scarcely u week passe
that | do not 90 into the countr
botanizng. That day went I
Glacnevin, where, rs you know. tn
marshy meadows are rich In curiOu
plants, infusoria, and diatoms. Twas II
turning, and was almost in Dublin wit
my box full of rare specimens. on whic
Iexpected j to make report that woul
astonish the Botanical Society, when
saw little girl, certainly not NOR
than i've or six years old. who was y
naone. crying as il her little heal
would break. approached her. bl
at sight of me she redoubled her crie'
q could see that the little one was los
and that she did not know whore TO g
40 spoke to her kindly. and. by dir
OF promising her unlimited bonbonl
got her 10 tell me that hev name WI